Seikichi Iha

Seikichi Iha (“Sensei” to his students) died peacefully at his home in Lansing, Michigan on Aug. 3, 2024, surrounded by loving family and friends. He celebrated his 92nd birthday in July. Iha was born in 1932 in Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan. After surviving the 1945 WWII Battle of Okinawa, he devoted his entire adult life to studying and teaching traditional Shorin Ryu Shidokan karate, and focused on bringing people together through friendship, cooperation and learning.

A strong supporter of Okinawan cultural activities, he was a member of the Okinawa Kenjinkai (association) in Los Angeles, CA, and Michigan Okinawa Kenjinkai.

Iha received many honors including the Michigan Heritage Award (2008), Okinawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award for Karate and Kobudo (2020), and the Okinawa Times Award (2024).

He enjoyed activities at home and with family and friends such as gardening, bonsai, Okinawan sanshin playing and singing. He believed the potential for learning is endless. His attitude towards life was eternally positive and as he would often say, “every day is a good day!”

Seikichi Iha is survived by his children, Uto Iha (Portland, OR) and Hirofumi Iha (Williamston, MI); and sibling, Seikou Iha (Naha, Okinawa).

He was predeceased by his parents, Zenkichi (1945) and Uto Iha (2005); and siblings, Seitokou Iha (2021) and Seiei Iha (2024).

To read the Lansing State Journal news article, please go to: add link

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Online condolences may be left for his family at www.EstesLeadley.com